USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 68
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Mr. Bartlett and Miss Hattie Leach, daughter of Shepherd Leach, a pioneer of 1838, were united in marriage, October 12, 1882. They have two children : Elliott S., advertising man- ager of the Register-Gazette; and Irene, a stu- dent at Rockford College.
The elements that have contributed to Mr. Bartlett's success in all his enterprises are easily stated. They are good judgment, integ- rity, system in everything, and withal, an affa- bility that 'invites good will.
BATEMAN, James John. The record of an honest man's quiet life is worth reading for it demonstrates that the results of real endeavor are not lost and that fidelity and integrity pay better in the way of happiness than the plaudits of the public. The history of the late James John Bateman of Rockford is an cxample. He was one of its reliable men and an expert watch repairer and maker. He was born at Coventry, England, January 4, 1842. On January 4, 1860, he left his native land for the United States, and located at Brooklyn, N. Y. He had served a seven years' apprenticeship to the watchmak- ing trade in England without pay, before he came to America. He spent some years at Brooklyn as & watchmaker and conducted a jewelry store there. Subsequently le came west to Elgin, Ill., where he was a watch finishier and maker, and still later came to Rockford, and for eighteen years worked in the finishing room of the Rockford Watch Factory, He then became a watch repairer at his own home, doing much expert work for jewelers at Rockford and in the vicinity. He was known to be one of the best watchmakers and repairers in the city, and all the jewelers were glad to secure his skilled service, and he was kept busy. When he de- cided to found his home here he was particular and in order to have a residence to suit him, he bought a large frame house which was sit- uated at No. 1126 Jackson street. This he re- modeled and modernized, later enjoyed it as a home, and there he died October 13, 1904.
While still living at Brooklyn Mr. Bateman was married to Isabel Vallerelee and she died here without issue. On December 18, 1880, Mr. Bateman was married at Geneva, Ill., to Annie Metcalf, born at Elgin, Ill., where she was edu- cated. She is a daughter of Charles C. and Sarah (Craig) Metcalf of Kendalwood, England. Mr. and Mrs. Bateman became the parents of two children : Marion R., who is at home; and James
Johan Schonauf
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M., who is a graduate of the Rockford High school in class 1901, and for four years he was at the University of Illinois, resides at Cleve- land, Ohio, and is manager of the Western Elec- tric Company. He married Victoria Broughm, and they have one son, James Burrel.
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BAWDEN, Albert R., now one of the prosperous young business men of Davenport, Iowa, is connected with Rockford by ties of friendship and the closer ones of marriage, and is well known to people of Winnebago County, and a frequent visitor to Rockford. He was born at Muscatine, Iowa, Angust 6, 1886, a son of the late George W. Bawden who, for years, was a leading member of the legal fraternity of Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Bawden was educated at Davenport where he early developed into a business man of ability. He is proprietor of the Davenport Postcard and Novelty Company, a wholesale house, of the I. & I. News Stand, and of the Commercial Photographic Company, and also of two similar establishments at Clin- ton, Iowa.
On October 15, 1913, Mr. Bawden was mar- ried to Miss Mabel Butord, a danghter of John and Matilda ( Okerberg) Buford, the ceremony taking place at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. George Schwenker, at No. 211 Tenth street, Rock Island. The same clergyman, Rev. J. W. Johnson, performed the ceremony for Mrs. Schwenker and her husband, he being the be- loved pastor of the sisters, and in charge of their old church at Rockford, the Emmannel Lutheran. Mr. and Mrs. Bawden now reside at 2724 Harrison street, Davenport, Iowa. Mrs. Bawden was born at Moline. April 14. 1884. She is a graduate of the city schools of Moline and Rock Island. For six years prior to her marriage she resided at Rock Island with her mother and sister, and was a favorite in social circles. Some years after the death of John Buford. Mrs. Buford was married to Augustus Nelson, one of the retired capitalists of Rock- ford.
BEALE, Harold W. The spread of the use of concrete has afforded employment for the means and energies of some of the most active men of Winnebago County, who at Rockford and elsewhere. are engaged in supplying the ever increasing demand for products in this line. Among those thus engaged is Harold W. Beale, whose plant is conveniently located at No. 1100 Kiskwaukee street. He was born in New Mil- ford Township, October 16, 1883, a son of John and Hattie (Maxwell) Beale, natives of Twick- enham, England, and New Milford, Ill. Fred- erick Maxwell, the maternal grandfather was born in Massachusetts, but came to New Mil- ford with his father about 1836. and entered 640 acres from the government. John Beale came to New Milford and after marrying, settled on a farm where he died many years ago. His widow resides at No. 1522 First Avenne, Rock- ford. Their two children are: Minnie, who
is Mrs. Arthur Brown of New Milford; and Harold W.
Harold W. Beale attended the common and high schools of Rockford. When he was only nineteen years old he began working as a clerk and as dispatcher for the Rockford and Inter- urban Railroad Company, and later was motor- man for a street railroad company for two years. In 1911, in association with Frank Bur- ritt, he started his present concrete business, the firm specializing in all kinds of concrete blocks and in burial vaults. They keep four men busy during the season. Mr. Beale is not married.
BEAN, Reynolds W., whose confectionery store at No. 503 W. State street is one of the most complete establishments of its kind in Rockford, the quality of the goods and excellence of the service attracting a large patronage, may safely be numbered among the leading yonng business men of his locality. He was born at Rockford. July 4, 1888, a son of Frank and Nettie (Worsley) Bean. Both parents were born at Rockford, where they were educated, and where the mother yet lives. The father was a ma- chinist with W. F. & John Barnes, and later was a foreman for this concern, having held that position for twenty-nine years when he left to go into a milk business. After a short expe- rience in this line, he embarked in a bakery busi- ness with his brother, Charles J. Bean, and they continued together for six years, the partnership terminating with his death, in 1911, which was the result of blood poisoning, when he was fifty-two years old. He was a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcannm. Politically he was a Republican.
Reynolds W. Bean spent his boyhood at Rock- ford, where he attended the grade and high schools and Brown's Business College. Follow- ing his graduation from the latter institution he took a position with the Kurtz Action Company, with which he remained for six years, leaving to go to Janesville, Wis., where he was employed by the Wisconsin Carriage Company as book- keeper for six months. For the next two years Mr. Bean was with the Emerson-Brantingham Company. Rockford, when, on account of failing health from close confinement, he took charge of one of the wagons of the Grand Union Tea Company so as to be in the open air as much as possible, and so continued for a year. Much improved. he went back to the Kurtz Action Company and remained with this concern until 1912, when he established his present business at No. 503 W. State street. Here he conducts one of the most modern ice cream and confec- tionery stores in the city, and his prosperity is fully merited.
On June 19, 1912, Mr. Bean was married to Miss Agnes Sears, who was born April 6, 1890, a daughter of Hiram and Mary Sears of Rock- ford. Mr. and Mrs. Bean have a son, Robert Frank, who was born May 16, 1913. They belong to the Court Street Methodist Church. In pol- itics Mr. Bean is a Republican.
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BEATTIE, John, page 649.
BECKER, William E., assistant superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & Gary Railway Company, with headquarters at Rockford, and residence at No. 615 Market street, is one of the alert, sound young business men of the city, whose rise to his present responsible position is the direct result of his own capability. He was born at Seymour, Ind., May 14, 1878, and there educated. His first work in the business field was done as a messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company, whose employ he entered August 7, 1893, and as he was ambitious, he learned telegraphy, and on July 1, 1895, was given a position as operator with the E. & R. Railroad, now a part of the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southeastern Railroad. Advanced rap- idly, he became manager of the office of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Seymour, Ind., and held that position until September 20, 1901, when he became operator at Linton. Ind., for the present Chicago, Terre Haute & South- eastern Railroad, and on December 10, 1902, was made dispatcher at that point, and on November 1, 1906, was made chief dispatcher at that point. Further advancement was given him, for on March 1, 1909, he was made super- intendent of the Southern Indiana Railroad and held that position until December 31, 1910. On March 1, 1911, he came to Rockford to become assistant superintendent of the Chicago, Mil- waukee & Gary Railroad.
On November 27, 1907, Mr. Becker was mar- ried at Terre Haute, Ind., to Mayme Brown, born October 31, 1884, at Evansville. Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have one daughter, Mildred R., who was born December 4, 1908. Mr. Becker belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Encampment of that order. Since casting his first vote, Mr. Becker has been an enthusiastic Democrat. An experienced railroad man, he is able to handle sagaciously and expeditiously the many prob- lems brought before him, and his road is for- tunate in having the services of a man of his calibre.
BECKINGTON & BECKINGTON. One of the leading legal firms of Rockford is that of Beckington & Beckington, composed of two brothers, Boyd and R. E., whose association with the jurisprudence of Winnebago County places them among the prominent attorneys of this section. Their offices are conveniently lo- cated at Nos. 30S and 309 Brown Building, and here they carry on a general legal practice. They were born in Boone County near Garden Prairie, Ill., R. E., June 2, 1880, and Boyd, November 24, 1884, and both are young men of decided ability in the very prime of life. They are the sons of Mark and Anna (Randolph) Beckington, natives of England and Pennsyl- vania, respectively, who are both now deceased.
The Beckington brothers both were graduated from the Belvidere High school, and the elder entered upon his legal studies at the University of Wisconsin, while the younger took a similar
course at the University of Michigan, from which institution he was graduated in 1906. In 1908 Boyd Beckington went to Aberdeen, S. D., and entered upon an active practice. In 1912 he was a candidate for county judge and failed of election by only a few votes. In 1914 he came to Rockford, where he joined his brother, R. E., in forming the partnership of Beckington & Beckington, which association still continues.
On December 9, 1912, Boyd Beckington was married to Nellie E. Brown of Dolgeville, N. Y., born July 19, 1889. R. E. Beckington is unmar- ried. Highly educated, proficient in their pro- fession, these brothers control a large practice and are recognized as men who not only have advanced rapidly, but whose future holds great promise.
BELL, Ira L., president and manager of the Rockford Overland Co., at No. 426-428 Elm street, Rockford, Ill., has risen by successive steps to his present position, through his own ability and foresight. He was born at Lees- burg, Loudoun County, Va., November 5, 1880, a son of Norman N. and Sarah A. Bell.
Norman N. Bell was also born at Leesburg, Va., and was there educated. During the Civil war he was employed at Harper's Ferry, Va., and later went by boat down the Ohio River to Cairo, Ill., then up the Mississippi to Gray's Point, Mo., where the family landed. They finally located at Appleton City, Mo., and later moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where he oper- ated a blacksmith and wagon shop. For some time he was engaged in the same business in Morrisonville, Christian County, Ill., and then moved to Delavan, Kan., still working along the same lines. He died at St. Louis, Mo., in 1892. His widow survives and lives in St. Louis, Mo.
He was a Democrat politically, a Methodist in religious matters, and belonged to the Masons and Odd Fellows. The paternal grandfather of Ira L. Bell was the founder of Harper's Ferry., Ill., and died at Morrisonville, Ill. His remains were laid to rest in Virginia.
Ira L. Bell was reared and educated at 'St. Louis, Mo. His first employment, at the age of twelve, was with the Western Union Telegraph Company, as a messenger boy. He was then successively with the St. Louis Box Factory and the Majestic Mfg. Co., as elevator boy. After six months' time the Majestic Mfg. Co., pro- moted him to the position of time keeper, and three years later he was made assistant fore- man. He then went with the Hydraulic Pressed Brick Co., of St. Louis, as traveling salesman, where he remained seven years. At the expira- tion of this time he engaged with the Willys- Overland Co., of Toledo, Ohio, being appointed district manager over eight states. After five years, on September 3, 1914, he came to Rock- ford and opened up the agency for the Overland cars in this vicinity. He is distributor for eight counties and has forty sub-dealers. Since com- ing here he has sold two thousand cars.
In 1903 Mr. Bell was married to Miss P. M. Pentony, of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Bell
Inner Schmaus.
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had one daughter, Elise M. Mrs. Bell died at St. Louis in 1906. In 1910 Mr. Bell was mar- ried to Miss B. C. Whittaker, of St. Louis, whose father was a manufacturer. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have two sons: Ira W. and Bruce W.
Mr. Bell is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is enthusiastic in his support of that order. He is also an Elk and a member of several other clubs. He is a man of uncommon ability, he stands in the highest ranks, and is admitted one of Rockford's leading men.
BENJAMIN, John, page 661.
BENNETT, George M., whose activities in the realty market place him among the men who have been largely instrumental in extending the area of Rockford and enhancing its importance in many directions, was born at Oregon, Ogle County, Ill., May 13, 1871, a son of William W. and Katherine (Snyder) Bennett, natives of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, respectively. They came to Rockford in 187S, although Mr. Bennett retained his banking connections in Ogle County until 1879, when he retired.
George M. Bennett was the second of the four children born to his parents, and he attended the grade and high schools of Rockford, and for one winter was a student in the Northwest- ern University at Evanston, Ill. He then spent one year in Europe as a representative of the Rockford Air Brush Manufacturing Company. In 1895 Mr. Bennett embarked in a real estate and insurance business at Rockford for himself, continuing alone until 1901, when he took Frank S. Horner into partnership. under the firm name of Bennett & Horner. In 1905 Mr. Horner with- drew and Mr. Bennett was again alone until March 20. 1915, when he became associated with Sherman B. Letts, under the firm name of Letts & Bennett. and the business is so continued at No. 125 W. State street. In March, 1915, Letts & Bennett opened a subdivision of 175 lots and twenty acres of high class open land in East Rockford. Mr. Letts and Mr. Bennett are mem- bers of the Rockford Real Estate Board and of the Cook County Real Estate Board. Mr. Ben- nett is a member of Masonic fraternity. Eastern Star of Rockford, Elks Lodge No. 64, the Rock- ford Chamber of Commerce, and the Motor Club. . He belongs to the Second Congregational Church. Politically he is a Republican. He has not accepted any public office, but his elder brother. Hon. W. W. Bennett, is the present chief executive of Rockford, and a candidate for governor of Illinois.
In October. 1896, Mr. Bennett was married to Katherine Pepper, a daughter of DeWitt C. and Delia (Kimball) Pepper. of Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have one child. De Witt W. Ben- nett. who was born in October. 1900. The Ben- netts are justly numbered among the leading people of Rockford, and Mr. Bennett stands very high commercially and socially.
BENNETT, William W., attorney, of Winne- bago County, and a highly esteemed resident of
Rockford, was born at Oregon, Ill., October 10, 1869, a son of William W. and Catharine (Snyder) Bennett. Williamn W. Bennett brought his family to Rockford in 1879, and until the time of his death, November 20, 1896, he was actively engaged in the management of his busi- ness interests. His remains were interred at Rockford, where his widow still resides.
William W. Bennett, the younger, attended the public schools of Oregon, Rockford, and the University of Illinois, and studied law witli Works & Hyer, being admitted to the bar May 20, 1896, beginning the practice of his profession immediately thereafter. Mr. Bennett has taken an active part in political affairs, having served as alderman for two years, as a member of the school board for the same length of time, and on April 2, 1911, was elected mayor of Rockford, which office he is still holding, being one of the best executives the city has ever had. Mr. Bennett is a director in the Rockford National Bank.
On October 6, 1898, Mr. Bennett was married to Gertrude Scovill, a daughter of Hon. Horace C. and Rosa (Zoller) Scovill. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have four children : William W., Eleanor, Catharine and Barbara. Mr. Scovill was at one time mayor of Rockford. His death occurred in the fall of 1912 at the age of seventy- seven years. Mr. Bennett belongs to the B. P. O. E., No. 64; to Rockford Lodge No. 166, A. F. & A. M .; and to the Hamilton Club of Chicago. He is a member of the Second Congregational Church of Rockford. A fine type of American manhood, Mr. Bennett has worked hard to bring about the passage of legislation he believes to be best for his city, and has oftentimes sacrificed his own interests in order to conserve the public welfare.
BERGSTEN, Oscar, superintendent of the Rock- ford Cedar Furniture Company, and a member of its board of directors, is an expert in the making of cedar chests and wardrobes, and is probably one of the most skillful men in his line in the city. He was born in Sweden, April 20, 1876, and was there educated. After completing his school days, he assisted his father in a woodworking shop where he learned his trade, and there remained until 1901, when he left Sweden for the United States, coming straight to Rockford after landing.
After his arrival Mr. Bergsten was employed with the Mechanic Furniture Company, later going to the Haddorff Piano Company, there continuing until he went to the St. Charles Piano Factory, where he remained for a year. Ou returning to Rockford, he resumed his work with the Haddorff Piano Company and was there employed until the organization of the Rockford Cedar Furniture Company, of which he was one of the organizers, when lie became its superin- tendent. The output of this company is superior in quality and workmanship and finds a ready market. Mr. Bergsten is unmarried and lives with his sister, Miss Elizabeth at No. 1126 Four-
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1
teenth avenue. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
BERTRAND, Frank Monroe, was born at Rock- ford, Ill., September 8, 1873, the only son of Frank T. and Mary (Crandall ) Bertrand. He re- ceived his early education in the Rockford public schools, later spending a year in Cornell Uni- versity. In 1893 he moved to Chicago, where he became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade, and conducted a floor brokerage business until 1907. In 190S Mr. Bertrand was married to Miss Anna Butler Snyder, of Williamsport, Pa., and shortly afterward they returned to Rockford, where they are now residing. He has been active in different Masonic bodies and in politics, and in 1912 accepted the presidency of the Wilson- Dunne Club of Winnebago County. Mr. Bertrand is now depnty collector of Internal Revenue. He is sincere in his belief that everyone should realize the responsibility that rests upon the shoulders of the citizen and has given much time to promoting that idea.
BERTRAND, Frank T., a resident of Rockford. Ill., since 1853, was born at Oxbury, Province of Ontario, Canada, Jannary 29, 1833, a son of Louis Michelle and Marie Clotilde ( DeFourt ) Bertrand, natives of Canada. When a boy he learned the blacksmith's trade and followed it in his native place until the fall of 1853 when he moved to Rockford. Continuing at his trade until the fall of 1859, he then formed a partnership with Peter Sames, for the purpose of conducting a gen- eral repair, wagon and plow factory. During the early days of the partnership Mr. Bertrand invented a riding corn cultivator, known as the Bertrand and Sames cultivator, and which found a ready market. In 1880 Mr. Bertrand sold his interest in the partnership to his partner, and retired from active business. He early saw the future for Rockford, and identified himself with other pioneers in putting the name of Rockford on the map.
In 1871 Mr. Bertrand was married to Mary M. Crandall of Rockford. One son, Frank Monroe, who is still living, was born to the union. Fra- ternally Mr. Bertrand has been identified with Free Masonry since 1859. and has passed through all of the different degrees of the order.
Years have passed since the pioneers of Rock- ford's industrial life blazed the way forward, but the names of those who achieved success and their influence will not be forgotten. To Frank T. Bertrand, and other pioneers, must be credited the fact that, today, Rockford possesses a reputation as a city of sound and conservative business enterprise.
BEST, Arthur Jonathan. The Best family is one of the old established and honorable ones in Winnebago County and its representatives are fully living up to the highest standards raised by righteons-living ancestors. One of these rep- resentatives is Arthur Jonathan Best, supervisor of Durand Township and one of the sterling men of Winnebago County, He was born in
Durand Township, December 7, 1870, a son of Simon Peter and Elizabeth Hannah (Matter) Best, of the village of Durand.
Arthur Jonathan Best was reared in his native township and taught habits of usefulness while he was sent to the local schools. He remained at home until 1894, when he went to Emmet County, Iowa, and there engaged in farming until 1901. In that year he went to Palo Alto County, Iowa, and in 1904 he located in Dick- inson County, the same state. A year later he went to Kingsbury County, S. Dak., and farmed and dealt in land, moving to Edmunds County, that state, in 1909. After a year, or in 1910, he returned home and engaged in farming in Durand Township, hut recently rented his farm of 199 acres and came to live with his parents in Durand village. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. In 1913 he was elected on the Re- publican ticket, supervisor of Durand Township without opposition, and was re-elected in 1915. He is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank ot Durand. He is a man of both means and public spirit and one who stands deservedly high in his community.
BEST, Jacob Manuel, now living on the same farm where he was born and which has always been his home, is one of the leading agricultur- ists of Durand Township. He was born January 25, 1860, a son of Reuben and Catherine (Long) Best, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work, With the exception of seven weeks spent in the West, Mr. Best has never been away from the farm for any appreciable length of time. He received his education in the district schools, attending the one across the road from his home.
On March 30, 1882, Mr. Best was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Orth, of Durand Township, born in Rock Grove Township. Stephenson County, Ill., but at the time of her marriage was living on the same section of land as Mr. Best. She is a daughter of Philip and Anna (Jenne- wein) Orth, both natives of Germany and pio- neers of Winnebago County. Mr. and Mrs. Best commenced housekeeping in the old home where they have since continued to live. In 1892 Mr. Best made his first purchase of land, securing forty acres on section 20. which was a part of his grandfather Best's homestead. Following this in 1896 he purchased forty acres in section 29, and in 1903 bought 160 acres in section 19. In 1909 he bought 120 acres in section 29, and in 1912 bought fifteen acres of timber land in Rock Run Township, Stephenson County, and in 1915 bought a business property at Davis, Stephenson County, Ill., and is now erecting a light plant and garage on this property on Main street. In all he owns 375 acres of land, and in addition to operating this with the assistance of his sons, lie conducts his father's place, in all farming (00 acres of land at the present time, doing gen- eral farming and stockraising, handling a high grade of Polled Angus cattle, but not registered stock.
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